Switch operating mechanism



April 261, 1949. 2,468,673

0. H. KAMINKY SWITCH OPERATING MECHANISM 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Sept. 25, 1944 INVENTOR.

O. H. KAMINKY SWITCH OPERATING MECHANISM Amaze, 1949.

2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. 25, 1944 FIG. 4-

INVENTOR. 7

Patented Apr. 26, 1949 SWITCH OPERATING MECHANISM Oscar H. Kaminky, Sycamore, Ill., assignor to First Industrial Corporation, Wilmington, Del., a corporation of Delaware Application September 25, 1944, Serial N0. 555,665

9 Claims. (01. 74-519) This invention relates to switches, more speciilcally to leaf spring snap switches, and is partlcularly concerned with improvements in the operating mechanism for such switches.

One type of switch of this general character which has received popular favor embodies an operating device in the form of a leaf spring fixedly mounted upon the cover of the switch casing and disposed in operative relation to the switch operating plunger. It has been found, however, that long continued operations produced fatigue of the metal of the spring, which resulted in change of its shape and in the point at which the switch would be actuated under pressure. The reliability of such a switch, particularly as to its time or point of operation, was accordingly impaired.

, suffice for the present disclosure to state that the One of the purposes of my present invention is the elimination of the leaf spring actuator and the utilization in lieu thereof of a pivoted rigid lever which will not be subject to deformation or variation in its timing during prolonged usage.

The various locations in which switches of this character are required to be mounted has heretofore necessitated different mountings for the leaf spring actuator. These different mountings required correspondingly different tops for the switch casing, thereby increasing the cost of manufacture and necessitating the stocking of a number of different species of the switch.

Another purpose of my invention is to provide an operating mechanism of simple construction and consisting of but few parts, which, however, are capable of being assembled in a number of different ways so as to produce a normally on or normally off switch, as desired, and to position the actuating lever in different locations to meet the requirements of various installations.

Still another object of my invention is to provide an operating mechanism which can be quickly assembled and easily disassembled, but which, when assembled, will have the various elements so interlocked that they will be retained in position without the employment of extraneous means or devices for fastening or holding the parts in place.

Other purposes and inherent advantages of my invention will be readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings.

Referring to the drawings,

Fig. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a snap switch equipped with my invention;

Fig. 2 is a similar view showing a different assembly of the elements of the operating mechanism;

Fig. 3 is a similar view showing still another Fig. 4 is a plan view of the form of the invenv tion shown in Fig. 2.

Referring to the drawings more in detail, it will be observed that the casing in which the switch proper is mounted comprises the bottom portion 5 and a top portion 6, together forming an enclosure or housing for the switch mechanism. This mechanism may be of any preferred snap switch construction, for instance, the general type disclosed in Patent No. 1,960,020, issued May 22, 1934.

Since my invention is not concerned with the details of the switch mechanism proper, it will housing or casing is customarily formed of suitable plastic insulating material providin a base upon which the leaf spring I of the contact arm 8 is mounted by means of a screw or screws 9. The contact arm 8 also includes one or more spring strips II pivotally abutting at I! against an abutment element l3 anchored to the base 5 of the casing. A double-faced contact button or element It carried at or near the end of the contact arm isadapted to engage and establish electrical contact with the contact stops or elements l5 and I6, either or both of which may be employed to complete an electric circuit from the contact arm through the binding post or posts ll.

i switch easing into position to be actuated by mechanism constituting the subject matter of my present invention.

The switch structure thus far described may be conventional or of any preferred design, and may be actuated by any mechanism adapted to depress the plunger l8 so as to thereby depress the switch arm 8.

The mechanism for actuating the plunger [8 and with which my present invention is concerned, comprises a'rigid lever IS, a fulcrum pin 2| and a coiled spring 22, all mounted above the top wall of the switch casing upon suitable supporting means extending upwardly therefrom. The supporting means may be of any preferred construction, such as upstanding ears mounted on the casing top, but, as illustrated, it consists of a pair of upstanding walls designated 24, respectively (Fig. 4), formed integrally with and disposed in spaced apart relation upon the casing top 6.

The fulcrum pin or pintle II is mounted in and extends between the supporting walls 24, and the spring 22 is mounted on the pintle by having the pintle extend through the coils of the spring, as shown. The ends 25 and 20 of the spring engage the pintle for a distance slightly greater than i the width of the lever I9 is made of smaller of substantial overtravel of the lever l 9, since the lever can be rotated until the short end strikes the top of the case.

It will also be apparent that the lever I9 may be reversed from the position of Fig. 1 so that the long arm thereof extends to the left from the pintle so that the switch is operated by movement of the lever in a clockwise direction.

Thus it will be seen that provision is made for shifting the pintle from one side of the plunger to the other to change the normal position of "the switch contacts and-for changing the position diameter than the end portions thereof, to thereby and since bodily movement of the lever and pintle longitudinally of the pintle is prevented by the surrounding convolutions of the spring 22, the whole assembly of pintle, lever and spring is held together and in operative position by the cooperative action of the spring, the shoulder and pintle and the socketed lever. j

The lever may be mounted on the switch casing ina number of different ways to meet the requirements of various installations, without the necessity of specially designed and mounted construe tions heretofore considered essential. For instance, in the disclosure of Fig. 1, the pintle 2| is carried in openings 2m (Figs. 2 and 3) of the walls 24, and the switch is of a type which, when the parts are in normal position, will maintain contact between the switch arm 8 'and the upper contact element I5. The plunger I8 is accordingly in the elevated position shown in this figure and the lever I9 is biased upon its pintle in a counterclockwise direction, the extent of such bias movement being limited by a stop or abutment 3i in this instance formed integrally with the top wall I of the casing. Downward pressure exerted upon the long arm of lever l9 will, in the form shown in Fig. 1, depress the plunger l8to thereby operate ,the switch. i

In Fig. 2 the fulcrum pintle 2| is illustrated as mounted upon the opposite side of the plunger Hi from that shown in Fig. 1 in openings 2ib (Fig. 1) of the walls 24. The lever I9 is thereby converted from a lever of the second order to a lever of the first order, and as the result the plunger l8 is normally depressed by the action of spring 22 so that the contact arm establishes contact with the lower element It instead of the upper element It. Downward pressure exerted upon the long arm of the lever in this instance will release the plunger l8, permitting automatic return of the contact arm 8 in the upper position into contact with element l5.

In the form shown in Fig. 3, the position of the lever is is reversed from that of Fig. 2, so that the long arm thereof extends to the left, instead of to the right. This assembly also normally holds the plunger in depressed position with the contact arm 8 maintainingcontact with the lower element It. To operate the switch in this instance, the lever is required to be moved onv its fulcrum in a clockwise direction viewing Fig. 3 by the exertion of pressure upon the lower face of the leverinstead oi upon the upper face, as in the elements pteviolwly described, This permits of the operating lever on the pintle to accommodate the switch to diiferent directions of movement ofthe operating face and to provide overtravel of the lever where this is desirable.

It should be apparent from the foregoing that my invention overcomes the disadvantages inherent in the sprin operating arms heretofore employed, by utilizing a rigid operating lever which insures against any variation in the point of operation of the switch. It should further be appreciated that by the utilization of a standard lever, pintle and spring, a variety of assemblies may be made capable of meeting various requirements and conditions 'of installation and use. Furthermore, the assembly is maintained against displacement of any of its parts by thecooper'ative action of the transversely socketed lever, the shoulder pintle and the embracing spring, and

- yet is readily demountable without the use of tools to change the operatin arrangement, and this is accomplished without the use of screws,

' bolts, nuts and the like which tend to loosen under vibration as in aircraft, tanks, and numerous industrial applications.

The structural details illustrated and described may obviously be varied within substantial limits without departing from the scope of my invention as defined in the following claims.

I claim:

1. ,A mechanism for operating ap'lunger actuated switch, comprising a pair of supporting elements disposed in spaced apart relation on a switch casing and on opposite sides of the switch actuating plunger, a pintle supported by and extendin between said elements in proximity to said plunger, said pintle having an intermediate portion of reduced diameter providing inwardly facing opposed shoulders at the ends thereof, a rigid operating lever shaped to provide an opensided bearing adapted to be pressed against said intermediate portion of the pintle, and a coil spring surrounding the pintle between the sides of the lever and the supportin elements, said spring being engaged with the switch casing and with said lever, said pintle, lever and spring being cooperatively associated so as to prevent disassembly of the parts during normal operation.

2. An operating mechanism for a plunger actuated switch, comprisin supports disposed upon opposite sides of the switch plunger, a pintle mounted between said supports to one side of the plunger provided with spaced apart annular shoulders having portions outside said shoulders mounted in said supports, a rigid lever fulcrumed on the pintle, said lever having a bearing portion adapted to be engaged with said pintle by movement of the lever transversely of the pintle, and a coiled spring mounted on the pintle so as to maintain the lever in fulcrumed position on the pintle.

3. In a switch operating mechanism for plunger actuated snap switches, the combination of a fulcrumed pintle mounted in proximity and to one side of the switch plunger, said pintle being provided with a pair of spaced apart annular shoulders, a rigid lever iulcrumed on the pintle between said shoulders, said lever having opposed portions engageable with said shoulders to limit movement of said pintle transverse to the axis of said lever, a coiled spring consisting of coils mounted on the pintle at each side of the lever, said spring havin a loop connecting said coils and engaged with the lever to maintain said lever normally pressed resiliently against said pintle, the free ends of the spring being engaged with the switch casing, whereby the pintle, lever and spring are maintained in assembled relation by the tension of the spring.

4. A snap switch comprising a snap switch mechanism having an actuating plunger, a casing for enclosing the same, a cover of moulded plastic for said casing having upstanding walls integral therewith disposed alon opposed side edges of the cover and an opening intermediate the walls to support said plunger for sliding movement, a pintle extending between said walls having an intermediate portion of reduced diameter and shoulders at the ends thereof supported by said walls, a rigid operating lever having an open sided bearin fulcrumed on the intermediate portion of said pintle between the walls, a coiled spring mounted on said pintle engaging the switch casing and the lever to bias the lever in a selected direction and to prevent disengagement of the lever from the pintle, and stop means on the cover to limit the rotation of the lever.

5. A mechanism for operating a plunger actuated switch, comprising supporting elements arranged in spaced apart fixed relation relative to the switch, a pintle extending between and supported by said elements at one side of the plunger, a rigid operating lever having an opensided bearing intermediate its ends iulcrumed on said pintle between said supporting elements providing a long arm on one side of said pintle for actuating the lever and a short arm on the other side thereof for selective engagement with the plunger depending upon the position of the lever on the pintle, said pintle having an annular groove formed thereon for receiving said lever so as to positively position the lever, and a coiled spring mounted on said pintleand engaged with the switch casing and with said lever so as to bias said lever in a selected direction and to wedge said bearing into engagement with said pintle whereby said operating lever is readily removable for reversing its position by pressing said open-sided bearing transversely away from said pintle.

6. In an operating mechanism for a plunger operated switch, comprising a support disposed at one side of the plunger, a pintle mounted on said support and extending adjacent another side of said plunger to form afulcrum, a lever having a recessed portion engageable with said pintle, said pintle having an annular groove intermediate the ends thereof tor receiving the recessed portion of the lever to prevent relative displacement of the lever longitudinally of the pintle, and a coiled spring mounted on tho pintle to maintain the lever in Iulcrumed position on the pintle.

7. A mechanism for operating a plunger operated switch comprising, upstanding walls integrally attached to said switch on opposite sides oi said plunger. a pintle supported by said walls adjacent one side of said plunger. a rigid operatiii ing lever having an open faced bearing fulcrumed on said pintle between said walls and having a first portion and a second portion extending in opposite directions from said pintle, said portions being of such length that either said first or second portion is engageable with said plunger for actuating the latter when the lever is transposed end for end on the pintle, means acting between said lever and said pintle for preventing relative displacement of the lever longitudinally of the pintle, and a coiled spring mounted on said pintle having an end abutting the lever and an end engageable with the switch, said spring being biased to hold said lever in an assembled relation with the pintle and to urge said lever in one direction 0 about said pintle.

8. A mechanism for operating a plunger operated switch comprising, a support affixed to the switch adjacent one side of the plunger, said support having a first opening spaced from said plunger in one direction along a longitudinal axis of the support and a second opening spaced from said plunger in the opposite direction along a longitudinal axis of the support, a pintle shaped to be received in either of said openings to form a fulcrum on either side of the plunger at spaced positions along the longitudinal axis of the switch, a rigid lever for engaging said plunger having a bearing intermediate its ends shaped to receive the pintle, means acting between the lever and the pintle for positively maintaining-the lever and the pintle in a predetermined relation, and a spring mounted on the pintle to bias the lever in a predetermined direction.

9. A mechanism for operating a plunger operated'switch comprising, a support afiixed to said switch adjacent one side of said plunger, said support having a first pivotal supporting opening disposed adjacent one side of said plunger and a second pivotal supporting opening disposed on the opposite side of said plunger a substantially equal distance, said openings being disposed at spaced positions along a longitudinal axis of the support,

a pintle shaped to be received in either of said openings to form a fulcrum, a rigid lever for engaging said plunger comprising a first end portion adapted for engagement to operate the plunger, a second end portion and an open-sided bearing intermediate said portions shaped to receive the pintle, the length of each of said end portions being greater than the distance from the pintle to the plunger, and a spring mounted on the pintle having an end engageable with the lever on the side thereof away from the open-sided bearing and having an end engageable with said switch, said spring being biased to urge the lever into engagement with the pintle and to urge the lever in one direction about the pintle. V

' OSCAR H. KAMINKY.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,605,722 Harper Nov. 2, 1928 1,699,657 Fagan Jan. 22, 1929 1,699,659 Fagan Jan, 22, 1929 1,960,020 McGall as May 22, 1934 2,236,680 Fry Apr. 1, 1941 2,338,365 Thorp et a1. Jan. 4, 19M 

